absolute monarchy theme
Featured is the workings and idiosyncrasies of a state apparatus that is by law and tradition ruled by a sovereign king, queen, or person of comparable title. The monarch's authority is largely unconstrained by law.
Notes
Monarchies are said to fall on a sliding scale from "constitutional" to "absolute". This theme is meant to encompass monarchies that are clearly not constitutional, even when they are not technically absolute.
16 total · 9 major · 7 minor
| Story | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| ftt1982e2x02 | major | The story concerned the Emperor of Cathay and his activities in governing the empire. |
| ftt1982e4x07 | major | The Emperor was clearly a sovereign who could order his subjects around as he pleased. |
| ftt1982e5x02 | major | Princess Henrietta was being groomed to succeed her father on the throne. |
| ftt1982e6x03 | major | The king apparently ruled over a kingdom that he could dispose of as he pleased. |
| play: Henry VI Part 2 (1594) | major | King Henry VI wielded his royal powers ineptly |
| play: Henry VI Part 3 (1595) | major | King Henry VI's right to rule was challenged by the Duke of York |
| play: Henry VI Part I (1592) | major | King Henry VI came of age |
| play: Richard II (1595) | major | central to the story were the various character flaws of King Richard II, which arguably lead to uprising and dynastic change |
| tc1983e01 | major | The story endeavors to explain the dysfunctional government of Ptolemaic Egypt in 145 BC. It was nominally ruled by Ptolemy VIII, known also as Potbelly, alongside his co-rulers Cleopatra II and Cleopatra III, although the arrangements changed over the course of the story. The characters discussed how they exercised power. |
| columbo1971e5x02 | minor | The Sauri king ruled his kindgom, largely unconstrained by law, although with difficulty because of independent minded bureaucrats. |